Drug-Free Communities Support Program

Drug-Free Communities Support Program (DFC) is a federal funding opportunity with the goal to reduce substance abuse in youth and over time among adults through engaging coalitions in effective community-wide change initiatives.

In Washington State, DFC-funded coalitions have formed a network that shares information, support, and training opportunities. The Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR) hosts a meeting for the network of Washington DFC grantees each fall during the Prevention Summit for training and forum activities. Current and prospective grantees are invited to attend a workshop each year sponsored by DBHR to build capacity to apply for this funding. The DBHR liaison with the DFC program is available to provide training and technical assistance to existing coalitions and to support new coalitions to form and develop the readiness to apply for DFC funding.

Currently 25 diverse communities in Washington State receive this competitive grant funding – ranging from metropolitan areas like Tacoma and Seattle to the rural communities of Okanogan County. Coalitions must meet specific criteria to be eligible to apply; including:

Coalition must have active representation from 12 specific sectors

Coalition must have been in existence for at least six months before the grant application is due

Coalition must focus on multiple substances as indicated in coalition mission statement

Up to $125,000 each year may be requested with an equal cash or in-kind non-Federal match.

The Office of Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) funds the program with oversight responsibilities and the Substance Abuse Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) administers the program.

The DFC Request for Applications comes out each year in January and is due approximately eight weeks later. If funded and successfully implemented, funding continues for five years, at which time the coalition can re-apply competitively for another five years of funding.

DBHR offers periodic training to support effective DFC applications. Informal technical assistance is also available to coalitions throughout the year. Contact Ray Horodowicz for more information about training and technical assistance.